The Eagles were the third and final team to emerge from the Americas qualifying group after recording big wins over Uruguay and Barbados, though the latter was forced to field a 52-year-old prop. Nevertheless, it will be the USA's fifth World Cup and they will be hoping to record their third win in the competition. They begin against England in Lens, before the doing battle with Tonga and Samoa for third place and that golden ticket to New Zealand.

• Mike Hercus
  Eagles outhalf Mike Hercus has rugby in his blood. Both his parents are Australian and despite being born in Virginia, the 28-year-old was schooled on Sydney's north shore. He represented Australia at schoolboy and under-21 level but made the leap to full international status with the Eagles in 2003, scoring 51 points in the process. Hercus had spells with Newport Gwent Dragons, Llanelli Scarlets and Sale Sharks, where he played second fiddle to England's Charlie Hodgson. He has now returned Belmont Shore in the US but his CV is proof that he is no stranger to the big stage.
• Chad Erskine
  Waterloo scrumhalf Chad Erskine was thrown in at the deep end when making his debut at the age of 26 against Canada last year, but he will be hoping to make a name for himself in France. The Durban-born number nine, who began playing rugby at the age of six, has represented South Africa at polo and will relish the opportunity to test himself against the fearsome Springboks in Montpellier on September 30th.
• Mike MacDonald
  Mike MacDonald is sure to figure prominently in Peter Thorburn’s plans. The 240lb Leeds Tykes prop is a formidable opponent with ball in hand and has been capped 40 times since making his debut against Fiji seven years ago. MacDonald, who began playing rugby in High School, can player on either side of the frontrow. With a background in American football and wrestling he is sure to represent a physical challenge for his Group A opponents.

• Forwards
  Mike MacDonald, Matekitonga Moeakiola, Chris Osentowski, John Vitale, Blake Burdette, Owen Lentz, Luke Gross, Mike Mangan, Hayden Mexted, Alec Parker, Inaki Basauri, Mark Aylor, Tasi Mounga, Todd Clever, Dan Payne, Louis Stanfill, Henry Bloomfield.
• Backs
  Chad Erskine, Mike Petri, Mike Hercus, Valenese Malifa, Phillip Eloff, Vaha Esikia, Thretton Palamo, Albert Tuipulotu, Paul Emerick, Takudzwa Ngwenya, Salesi Sika, Chris Wyles, Francois Viljoen.